Jonathan Trott hits ton on international return

Johannesburg: England Lions captain Jonathan Trott scored 176 not out against South Africa A in Paarl on Tuesday in his first international appearance since November 2013.

Jonathan Trott

The 33-year-old South Africa-born batsman withdrew from England's Ashes tour of Australia 14 months ago due to a stress-related condition. But he returned to form with English county side Warwickshire last season, ending the summer with back-to-back hundreds, and on Tuesday produced his third successive ton in first-class cricket.

"It feels great," Trott told Britain's Sky Sports News at the close of play. "I said I wanted to play for England again, and I have to earn my place back, so that's what I'm doing here on the Lions tour, working hard with everyone else. "We're all putting in lots of effort.

Playing for England again is something I'd definitely like to do." Trott spent almost nine and a quarter hours at the crease, facing 350 balls and scoring 14 fours. The second-string Lions finished the third day of the four-day match on 507 for six in reply to 504 for eight declared.